Heroin and cash seized in probation search

August 22, 2017Digital Media Exclusive

CENTER TWP — Dozens of bags of suspected heroin, alleged drug trafficking materials and more than $2,000 was some of the evidence seized during a home visit to a man on probation, authorities said.

The finding last week landed 47-year-old probationer Richard A. Paskosky back behind bars. On Tuesday, the Butler County Drug Task Force charged him with two felonies in the case.

During the visit, officers found a small tin box in the drawer of a living room coffee table. County Detective Tim Fennell, who heads the task force, said the box contained 39 stamp bags of suspected heroin.

Also in the box was a digital scale and additional contraband including empty stamp bags and other packaging materials, two crack pipes, three snorting tubes, a glass vial and two push rods.

In addition to $2,340 found in another box, the search turned up pills of two different medications for which he did not have prescriptions, a cell phone and 17 rounds of ammunition.

Fennell obtained a search warrant for the phone on Monday, which displayed multiple text messages from people asking to buy heroin and Paskosky replying with what it would cost.

Following the search, the defendant was placed in the Butler County Prison on a probation violation.